Controllable device selection based on controller location

Abstract

Controllable device selection based on controller location is described. In embodiments, a companion utility is executed by a portable device to interface the portable device with a selected one of multiple controllable devices via a wireless network. A location of the portable device can be determined based on a positioning unit that is integrated with the portable device. A controllable device can then be selected that is proximate the location of the portable device for input control of the controllable device via the wireless network.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable device, comprising:
 a positioning unit configured to indicate a location of the portable device; 
 an integrated display configured to display a graphical map that illustrates a layout of an area and respective locations of multiple controllable devices; 
 at least a memory and a processor that implement a companion utility configured to interface the portable device with a selected one of the multiple controllable devices via a wireless network, the companion utility further configured to: 
 define a perimeter of the area based on perimeter boundary inputs to the portable device; 
 receive an edit input to the graphical map to redefine the perimeter of the area effective to create a redefined perimeter of the area that includes at least one of the multiple controllable devices; 
 determine the location of the portable device from the positioning unit; and 
 select the controllable device when the location of the portable device is within the redefined perimeter for input control of the controllable device via the wireless network. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the positioning unit is a GPS unit. 
     
     
       3. The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an orientation sensor configured to indicate an orientation of the portable device; 
 wherein the companion utility is further configured to:
 select the controllable device when the orientation of the portable device is towards the controllable device; and 
 select a different one of the multiple controllable devices when the orientation of the portable device changes towards the different controllable device. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the multiple controllable devices include at least one of a television set-top box, a gaming system, or a client device. 
     
     
       5. The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the companion utility is further configured to log position information of the multiple controllable devices to identify that the controllable device is proximate the location of the portable device. 
     
     
       6. The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the companion utility is further configured to:
 define the perimeter of the area based on the perimeter boundary inputs that are each received as a user input to the portable device when the portable device is positioned at a perimeter boundary input location. 
 
     
     
       7. The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the companion utility is configured to automatically activate the controllable device when the portable device enters into the area defined by the redefined perimeter. 
     
     
       8. The portable device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the companion utility is configured to exclude control of an additional controllable device that is not within the area defined by the redefined perimeter. 
     
     
       9. A method implemented by a portable device, the method comprising:
 executing a companion utility with a processor of the portable device, the companion utility configured to interface the portable device with a selected one of multiple controllable devices via a wireless network; 
 determining a location of the portable device based on a positioning unit that is integrated with the portable device; 
 defining a perimeter of an area based on perimeter boundary inputs that are each received as a user input to the portable device when the portable device is positioned at a perimeter boundary input location; 
 displaying a graphical map that illustrates a layout of the defined perimeter; 
 receiving an edit input to the graphical map to redefine the defined perimeter effective to create a redefined perimeter; and 
 selecting the selected one of the multiple controllable devices when the location of the portable device is within the redefined perimeter for input control of the controllable device via the wireless network. 
 
     
     
       10. The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining an orientation of the portable device based on an orientation sensor that is integrated with the portable device; and 
 selecting the controllable device when the orientation of the portable device istowards the controllable device. 
 
     
     
       11. The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising selecting a different one of the multiple controllable devices when the orientation of the portable device changes towards the different controllable device. 
     
     
       12. The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising logging position information of the multiple controllable devices to identify that the controllable device is proximate the location of the portable device. 
     
     
       13. The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the graphical map illustrates the redefined perimeter and respective locations of the multiple controllable devices. 
     
     
       14. The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising initiating a control input to automatically activate the controllable device when the portable device enters within the area defined by the redefined perimeter. 
     
     
       15. The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising excluding control of an additional controllable device that is not within the redefined perimeter. 
     
     
       16. A system, comprising:
 multiple controllable devices configured to render television media content for display; 
 a portable device configured for input control of at least one of the multiple controllable devices that is proximate a location of the portable device, the location of the portable device being determinable from a positioning unit that is integrated with the portable device, the portable device configured to:
 define a perimeter of an area based on perimeter boundary inputs that are each received as a user input to the portable device when the portable device is positioned at a perimeter boundary input location; 
 display a graphical map that illustrates a layout of the defined perimeter; 
 receive an edit input to the graphical map to redefine the defined perimeter effective to create a redefined perimeter; 
 select the controllable device for the input control when the location of the portable device is within the redefined perimeter that is defined to include the controllable device; and 
 
 a wireless network configured to interface the portable device with the controllable device via wireless data communication. 
 
     
     
       17. The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the portable device is further configured to said select the controllable device for the input control when an orientation of the portable device is towards the controllable device. 
     
     
       18. The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the portable device is configured to automatically activate the controllable device when the portable device enters into the area defined by the redefined perimeter. 
     
     
       19. The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the portable device is configured to exclude control of an additional controllable device that is not within the redefined perimeter.